Report of the Global Environment Facility
to the Seventh Session of the Intergovernmental
Negotiating Committee on Mercury
Global Environment Facility
January 11, 2016
i
Contents
Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ 1
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 2
GEF’s Support to the Minamata Convention on Mercury .............................................................. 2
GEF’s Role in the Convention .................................................................................................... 2
Guidance and GEF Response ...................................................................................................... 2
Communication with the Interim Minamata Convention Secretariat ......................................... 4
GEF’s Contributions to the Implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury in the
Interim Period ................................................................................................................................. 5
Projects Approved in GEF-6 (July 2014–October 2015) ............................................................ 5
Table 1: GEF Funded Mercury Projects in GEF-5 (July 2010 – June 2014) and GEF-6 (July 2014
– October 2015) .............................................................................................................................. 6
Figure 1: GEF-6 (July 2014 – October 2015) mercury funding allocation by project purposes .... 6
Cross Cutting Project .................................................................................................................. 6
GEF-Wide Policies and Programs .................................................................................................. 7
Small Grants Programme ............................................................................................................ 7
National Portfolio Formulation Exercise .................................................................................... 8
Expanded Constituency Workshops ........................................................................................... 8
Gender ......................................................................................................................................... 9
Results-Based Management ........................................................................................................ 9
Knowledge Management........................................................................................................... 10
Broadening the GEF Partnership............................................................................................... 10
Annex 1: Model letter on eligibility on Minamata Initial Assessment ......................................... 12
Annex 2: Model letter on eligibility on artisanal and small-scale gold mining National Action
Plan ............................................................................................................................................... 14
Article 7 ........................................................................................................................................ 15
Annex 3: Guidance from INC6 (November 2014) and GEF Response........................................ 17
Annex 4: Guidance from the Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Minamata Convention on
Mercury (October 2013) and GEF Response................................................................................ 19
Annex 5: Table of GEF-6 (July 2014–October 2015) Funded Projects ....................................... 23
ii
Annex 6: GEF-6 (July 2014–October 2015) Funded Medium-Sized and Full-Sized Projects and
Descriptions .................................................................................................................................. 26
Acronym List
ASGM
BAT
BET
BRS
COP
CSO
CSP
EA
FSP
GEAP
GEF
INC
KM
MIA
MOU
MSP
NAP
NPFE
OFP
PPG
POP
PVC
RBM
SGP
STAP
UNDP
UNIDO
UNEP
UPOPs
VCM
Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining
Best Available Techniques
Best Environmental Practices
Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions
Conference of the Parties
Civil Society Organization
Country Support Program
Enabling Activity
Full-sized Project
Gender Equality Action Plan
Global Environment Facility
Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee
Knowledge Management
Mercury Initial Assessment
Memorandum of Understanding
Medium-sized Project
National Action Plan
National Portfolio Formulation Exercise
Operational Focal Points
Project Preparation Grant
Persistent Organic Pollutant
Polyvinyl Chloride
Results-Based Management
Small Grants Programme
Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel
United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Industrial Development Organization
United Nations Environment Programme
Unintentionally Produced Persistent Organic Pollutants
Vinyl Chloride Monomer
iii
Executive Summary
1. The Minamata Convention on Mercury, adopted by the Conference of Plenipotentiaries in
October 2013 1 , is the most recent Convention served by the Global Environment Facility
(GEF), and seeks to limit human and environmental exposure to mercury by reducing and
eliminating mercury emissions and releases globally. The GEF was included in the financial
mechanism by Article 13 of the Minamata Convention2. The GEF Instrument was amended by
the Fifth GEF Assembly, held in May 2014, to incorporate the Minamata Convention. This
report presents the work of the GEF on mercury between July 2014 and October 2015.
2. In response to the guidance from sixth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC6) held
in Bangkok, Thailand, in November 2014, the GEF eligibility criteria for the enabling
activities, which are Minamata Initial Assessments (MIAs), artisanal small-scale gold mining
(ASGM) National Action Plan (NAP) development, have been revised to include nonsignatories that are taking bona fide steps to ratify the Minamata Convention. As of November
2015, the GEF has cumulatively supported these enabling activities in 65 countries to facilitate
ratification.
3. Between July 2014 and October 2015, the GEF has programmed $24.6 million3 in mercury
projects, including, MIA, ASGM NAP, capacity building, healthcare waste management, and
reduction the production and use of mercury in manufacturing processes. This amount is 17
percent of the GEF-6 programming targets of $141 million for the Convention on Mercury.
4. The projects approved during the reporting period are expected to achieve 360 tonnes of
mercury phase out, which is 36 percent of the GEF-6 target for the reduction of 1,000 tonnes
of mercury. The target was developed taking into account the use of mercury in the vinyl
chloride monomer (VCM) sector in China and the usage of mercury in the artisanal and small
scale gold mining (ASGM) sector.
1
UNEP(DTIE)/Hg/CONF/3
Article 13 (6). The Mechanism shall include: (a) The Global Environment Facility Trust Fund; and (b) A specific
international Programme to support capacity-building and technical assistance.
3
This number includes only the GEF grant amount, not associated fees or Project Preparation Grant (PPG).
2
1
Introduction
1. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) serves as a financial mechanism for a number of
Multilateral Environmental Agreements, including the Stockholm Convention on Persistent
Organic Pollutants, the Convention of Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification,
and the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The Minamata Convention is the newest
Convention served by the GEF. The Convention seeks to limit human and environmental
exposure to mercury by reducing and eliminating mercury emissions and releases globally.
2. Consistent with the resolution on financial arrangements in the final act of the Conference of
Plenipotentiaries on the Minamata Convention on Mercury4, during the interim period, the
GEF is providing support to countries towards early ratification and implementation of the
convention.
3. This report presents the work of the GEF on mercury between July 2014 and October 2015.
GEF’s Support to the Minamata Convention on Mercury
GEF’s Role in the Convention
4. The Minamata Convention on Mercury was adopted on 10 October 2013, and the GEF was
included in the financial mechanism in Article 13 of the Convention.
5. The sixth replenishment period of the GEF (GEF-6) began on 1 July 2014. For the GEF-6
period of 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2018, $141 million has been allocated to mercury projects.
The allocation of GEF resources for the Minamata Convention responds to guidance from the
Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), and eventually guidance from the Conference
of the Parties (COP), in line with the GEF-6 Chemicals and Waste Strategy5.
Guidance and GEF Response
6. In regard to the GEF, Article 13 of the Minamata Convention states the following:
“The Global Environment Facility Trust Fund shall provide new, predictable, adequate
and timely financial resources to meet costs in support of implementation of this
Convention as agreed by the Conference of the Parties. For the purposes of this
Convention, the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund shall be operated under the
4
5
UNEP(DTIE)/Hg/CONF/4
GEF/A.5/07/Rev.01
2
guidance of and be accountable to the Conference of the Parties. The Conference of the
Parties shall provide guidance on overall strategies, policies, programme priorities and
eligibility for access to and utilization of financial resources. In addition, the Conference
of the Parties shall provide guidance on an indicative list of categories of activities that
could receive support from the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund. The Global
Environment Facility Trust Fund shall provide resources to meet the agreed incremental
costs of global environmental benefits and the agreed full costs of some enabling
activities.”
7. The INC 6 held in Bangkok, Thailand, in November 2014, provided the guidance to the GEF
to apply the following eligibility criteria in providing financial support to the developing
countries and countries with economies in transition for activities under the Minamata
Convention on Mercury6:
(a) Parties to the Convention;
(b) Signatories to the Convention in undertaking activities, particularly enabling activities,
to facilitate early implementation and ratification of the Convention;
(c) Non-signatories to the Convention, for enabling activities, provided that any such State
is taking meaningful steps towards becoming a Party as evidenced by a letter from the
relevant minister to the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment
Programme and to the Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of the GEF.
8. In response to the above INC6 guidance, the GEF Council approved new eligibility criteria in
January 2015. The GEF secretariat circulated this revision of criteria among the relevant GEF
Agencies7 in February 2015. The Interim Minamata Convention Secretariat also shared two
model letters with these GEF Agencies, United Nations Institute for Training and Research
and the World Health Organization, to be submitted from non-signatories on their meaningful
steps towards becoming a Party (Annex 1 and Annex 2).
9. The INC6 also requested the GEF to consider the following activities when providing financial
resources to developing countries and countries with economies in transition:
(a) Enabling activities as outlined in the Initial Guidelines for Enabling Activities for the
Minamata Convention on Mercury of the GEF, particularly Minamata Convention initial
assessment activities and national action plans for artisanal and small-scale gold mining,
to facilitate ratification;
(b) Activities to implement the provisions of the Convention, affording priority to those that:
(i) Relate to legally-binding obligations;
(ii) Facilitate early implementation on entry into force; and
6
Annex III, UNEP(DTIE)/Hg/INC.6/24
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Industrial Development Organization
(UNIDO), and World Bank (WB).
7
3
(iii) Allow for reduction in mercury emissions and releases and address the health
and environmental impacts of mercury.
10. The GEF-6 Chemicals and Waste Strategy has two strategic objectives to meet the goals of
eliminating harmful chemicals and waste. As for mercury, two programs support the activities
requested by the INC6. Program 2 supports enabling activities (EA) and promote their
integration into national budgets and planning processes, national and sector policies and
actions and global monitoring. Program 4 is for reduction or elimination of anthropogenic
emissions and releases of mercury to the environment. The GEF has programmed $141 million
for mercury projects under these two programs of GEF-6.
11. During the reporting period, 23 projects with the GEF grant amount of $25.6 million have been
supported including EA, medium-sized projects (MSP)8, and full-sized projects (FSP)9. The
supported projects are consistent with the guidance from the INC6, and GEF-6 Chemicals and
Waste Strategy and guidelines for enabling activities for the Minamata Convention. The
projects have provided assistance to countries to develop initial assessments of their mercury
issues, mercury reduction or elimination, and sustainable alternatives (see next section).
12. Annex 3 summarizes guidance from INC6 and GEF responses. Annex 4 summarizes guidance
from the Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Minamata Convention on Mercury and GEF
responses.
Communication with the Interim Minamata Convention Secretariat
13. Since the adoption of the Convention in October 2013, the GEF Secretariat has initiated formal
cooperation and communication with the Interim Minamata Convention Secretariat in order to
enhance coordination, share information and collaborate on issues related to the
implementation of the Convention.
14. The GEF and the Interim Minamata Convention Secretariat had an in-person meeting during
the GEF Chemicals and Waste Task Force Meeting in May 2015 that included representatives
from the GEF implementing and project agencies, the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel
(STAP) of the GEF, and the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS)
Conventions. Participants discussed the GEF-6 Chemicals and Waste Strategy, and shared
information on enabling activities and project ideas.
15. The GEF and the Interim Minamata Convention Secretariat had another in-person meeting
after the fourth International Conference on Chemical Management in October 2015. This
8
9
Medium-sized projects are projects under $2 million.
Fill-sized projects are project over $2 million
4
meeting discussed preparation for the INC7 to be held in Dead Sea, Jordan, in March 2016,
especially the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Conference of the
Parties of the Minamata Convention and the GEF Council according to the conclusion of INC6.
16. The GEF joined the Minamata Convention regional workshops to support countries in the
interim period until the Convention enters into force. During the reporting period, the GEF
participated in the following regional workshops:
(a) Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago (January 2015)
(b) Pacific, Samoa (January 2015)
(c) Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Belarus (February 2015).
17. The GEF also joined the back-to-back Minamata and BRS Conventions Regional Meetings in
2015. The GEF participated in the following regional meetings:
(a) Asia and the Pacific, Indonesia (March 2015)
(b) Africa, Kenya (March 2015)
(c) Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Slovakia (April 2015)
(d) Latin America and the Caribbean, Uruguay (April 2015).
GEF’s Contributions to the Implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury in
the Interim Period
Projects Approved in GEF-6 (July 2014–October 2015)
18. During the reporting period, the GEF has programmed $24.6 million in mercury projects,
including, MIA, ASGM NAP, capacity building, healthcare waste management, and reduction
the production and use of mercury in manufacturing processes. This amount is 17 percent of
the GEF-6 programming targets of $141 million for the Convention on Mercury.
19. The GEF has approved 20 Minamata Initial Assessment (MIA) projects and two artisanal
small-scale gold mining (ASGM) National Action Plan (NAP) projects in 33 countries with
the total amount of $8.3 million (see Table 1 and Figure 1). The number of countries supported
by the GEF for MIAs and/or ASGM NAP becomes 58 through GEF-5 and GEF-6. Among
these countries, eleven countries have already accepted or ratified the convention. Annex 5
summarizes the project approved during reporting period.
20. GEF also supported two FSPs and a MSP to help capacity building, healthcare waste
management, and emission reduction form manufacturing process. These projects are expected
to achieve 360 tonnes of mercury phase out, which is 36 percent of the GEF-6 target for the
reduction of 1,000 tonnes of mercury.
5
21. One FSP in China aims to decrease the production and use of mercury by 50 percent per ton
of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) production in 2020, which will result in the reduction of
360 tons of mercury usage in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) industries. This will be achieved
through optimizing the existing production and achieving 90 percent recovery of mercury in
production processes and promoting mercury-free catalyst and trial application as the initial
step of commercialization. The project will promote technology transfer and investment for
the widespread application of best available techniques and best environmental practices
(BAT/BEP). Further descriptions of FSPs and MSP are provided in Annex 6.
Table 1: GEF Funded Mercury Projects in GEF-5 (July 2010 – June 2014) and GEF-6
(July 2014 – October 2015)
GEF Grant Amount*
Project Type
Number of Projects
GEF-5
GEF-6
GEF-5
GEF-6
(July 2010-June 2014)
(July 2014-Oct 2015)
20
6
14
20
2
1
Enabling Activities**
Full-sized Projects
Medium-sized Projects
$ 9,456,868
$1,354,768
$11,309,900
$8,297,045
$16,750,000
$600,000
*These totals include only the GEF grant, not associated fees. For the medium- and full-sized projects, the total
amounts include the funding allocated to mercury components only, not the full project amount.
** A number of the enabling activities projects includes multiple countries so while the total projects are 40, the
number of countries covered is 71.
Figure 1: GEF-6 (July 2014 – October 2015) mercury funding allocation by project
purposes
Waste,
$0.25million (1.0%)
Capacity Building,
$0.6million (2.3%)
Minamata Initial
Assessment (MIAs),
$7.3million (28.5%)
Artisanal and Smallscale Gold Mining
National Action Plan
(ASGM NAP) ,
$1.0million (3.9%)
Manufacturing
process,
$16.5million (64.3%)
Cross Cutting Project
6
22. In GEF-6, there has been an emphasis on the importance of multi-focal area and cross-cutting
projects that address and apply resources to several problems at once. These include projects
and programs that incorporate biodiversity, climate change mitigation, and international
waters. Within the chemicals and waste focal area, the cross-cutting projects can involve work
with other Conventions that aim to reduce or eliminate Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
and other chemicals.
23. For example, one FSP in Colombia will contribute to the convention obligations of the country
in two chemicals conventions, the Minamata Convention and the Stockholm Convention, and
takes advantage of the integrated chemicals and waste focal area and seeks to introduce
BAT/BET to reduce the release of mercury and unintentionally produced POPs (UPOPs) from
the treatment of healthcare waste, the processing of Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment, secondary metal processing and biomass burning. The project takes an innovative
holistic approach to achieve environmentally sound management of mercury and UPOPsgenerating waste in the country.
GEF-Wide Policies and Programs
Small Grants Programme
24. The GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP), implemented by UNDP on behalf of the GEF
partnership, was launched at the time of the Earth Summit in 1992. Through its decentralized
country driven approach, the GEF SGP channels its support to civil society for environmental
action, by providing grants of up to $50,000 directly to civil society organizations (CSOs),
community-based organizations and indigenous peoples. Since 1992, the program has
supported a cumulative total of more than nineteen thousands community-based and CSOimplemented projects across all GEF focal areas. The program is currently active in over one
125 countries, more than half of which are Least Developing Countries and Small Island
Developing States. During the reporting period, 113 projects were under implementation in the
chemicals and waste focal area, accounting for about three percent of SGP’s current portfolio
of 4,051 active projects.
25. During the reporting period, 12 projects related to mercury reduction and management were
implemented in Belarus, China, Ghana, Guyana, Malaysia, Nepal, St. Vincent and Grenadines
and Suriname, with a total value of $443,339 in GEF funding and $541,251 in co-financing
leveraged by the SGP. The main activities of these projects have focused on the collection and
recycling of e-waste to avoid mercury contamination, awareness raising and campaigns to
influence government policies. For example, in Belarus, two projects worked on the collection,
recycling and replacement of mercury-containing fluorescent lamps and the installation of
Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights, which not only reduce mercury contamination but also
increase energy efficiency. In St. Vincent and Grenadines, training was provided to young
7
people on sustainable e-waste management, and a public awareness program was developed
and implemented to increase people’s knowledge about the e-waste problem.
26. In GEF-6, the SGP seeks to develop local communities’ awareness and capacities to address
mercury issues. The SGP aims to build upon its experience and lessons learnt together with
knowledge from other partners to test and implement good practices to prevent, reduce and
eliminate the use or release of mercury, particularly through mercury-contained e-waste
collection and management and reducing or removing mercury use or release in ASGM.
Further, the SGP seeks to strengthen global partnerships with organizations such as
International POPs Elimination Network and others to jointly address mercury issues.
National Portfolio Formulation Exercise
27. The National Portfolio Formulation Exercise (NPFE) is a voluntary exercise undertaken to
serve as a priority setting tool for countries and as a guide for GEF Agencies as they assist
recipient countries. The NPFE, a component of the Country Support Program (CSP) of the
GEF, was continued in GEF-6. At the request of the Operational Focal Points (OFP), the GEF
supports the organization of these exercises with up to $30,000. This activity is to help GEF
OFPs to engage main national stakeholders and line ministries, in the planning process for
developing national priorities for GEF support.
28. Another component of the CSP is the National Dialogues. These are also voluntary activities
that help countries to hold broad stakeholder gatherings to consider national objectives and
strategies, as well as national coordination procedures. The National Dialogues that took place
during the first year of GEF-6 implementation also contained a session or sessions dedicated
to programming of GEF resources.
29. During the reporting period, the GEF Secretariat financed NPFEs in 27 countries. In addition,
12 countries carried out similar programming exercises during their National Dialogues.
Expanded Constituency Workshops
30. The expanded constituency workshops include the participation of GEF OFPs, Convention
focal points and other key representatives, including CSOs. These meetings allow the
participant’s interaction with staff from the GEF Secretariat and the GEF Agencies to discuss
priority issues, review policies and procedures, and share lessons and experiences from the
development and implementation of GEF projects and their integration within national policy
frameworks. During the reporting period, 12 expanded constituency workshops were held
worldwide.
8
Gender
31. The GEF Policy on Gender Mainstreaming states that: “The GEF recognizes that gender
equality is an important goal in the context of the projects that it finances because it advances
both the GEF’s goals for attaining global environmental benefits and the goal of gender equity
and social inclusion.” Building on the expertise and experience of GEF Agencies and other
partners, the GEF developed the GEF Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP) in 2014, and since
then focused much on delivering on five main areas including: (1) consolidating the GEF
Gender Partnership around the effective and collaborative implementation of the GEAP; (2)
capacity development on gender mainstreaming at the GEF and other partners; (3) developing
gender responsive project cycle and programming processes; (4) systemizing results-based
management and ensuring greater accountability for gender mainstreaming; and lastly (5)
building the knowledge base on gender related to the GEF 2020 strategy 10 and project
portfolio.
32. Specifically, the GEF Secretariat, in coordination with the GEF Agencies, has reviewed and
updated the GEF-6 project templates and guidelines, and incorporated a specific section in the
templates to describe gender considerations, including approaches and plans to address gender
equality and women’s empowerment through GEF projects. Templates for the Project
Implementation Form, Program Framework Document, and the CEO Endorsement Request
have been updated. These project templates are recognized as one of the key tools to enable
gender responsive project design and implementation of GEF projects. The chemicals portfolio
has generated noticeable impacts on the improvement of the health of women and children
through active engagement of both women and men in awareness-raising and capacity-building
activities as well as the eradication of exposure to these chemicals. It is critical to design
gender-responsive mercury projects, especially in sectors like ASGM, where women play a
large role.
Results-Based Management
33. The GEF’s Results-Based Management (RBM) system aims to improve management
effectiveness and accountability by defining expected results and targets, monitoring progress
toward results, integrating lessons learned into management decisions, and reporting on
performance. The GEF has strengthened its RBM system by implementing RBM action plan
approved by the GEF Council in October 2014.
10
GEF/A.5/10
9
34. The RBM Action Plan set out a way forward for the GEF to strengthen its RBM system in
support of the objectives of the GEF 2020 strategy and the GEF-6 replenishment. Under the
Action Plan, the GEF Secretariat, in partnership with the Agencies and Conventions, has
committed to pursue five key actions; (1) Review and, where necessary, upgrade all results
frameworks at the GEF with a focus on alignment, efficiency, and relevance, (2) Strengthen
corporate-level results reporting, (3) Review and upgrade GEF’s IT platform to support the
RBM system, (4) Review and, where necessary, strengthen management and working capacity
for RBM in the GEF Secretariat, and (5) Conduct an independent assessment of the improved
RBM system.
35. As for the corporate-level results framework on chemicals and waste, the GEF-6 aims to
increase the phase-out, disposal and reduction of releases of POPs, ozone depleting substances,
mercury and other chemicals of global concern. The replenishment established a target for
reduction of mercury at 1,000 tonnes.
Knowledge Management
36. Knowledge is a primary asset of the GEF partnership and supports its strategic objectives. The
Policy recommendations in the GEF-6 Replenishment stressed the development of a
knowledge management (KM) system to improve the GEF partnership’s ability to learn by
doing and thereby enhance its impact over time. The KM approach and an initial roadmap was
presented to the GEF Council in June 2015. The approach articulates that the purpose of KM
in the GEF context is to facilitate the capture, exchange and uptake of knowledge within and
beyond the GEF Partnership with two key objectives: (1) to inform global, regional and
national policy dialogues on options and approaches to reverse the course of environmental
degradation, and (2) to improve the impact of GEF-supported projects and programs.
37. The GEF Secretariat established an informal KM Advisory Group, as a sounding board for
GEF KM initiatives, with the participation of GEF Council members, the GEF agencies, GEF
IEO, STAP, CSO network and convention secretariats, and organized a kick-off workshop
right after the GEF Council in October 2015. The KM Advisory Group will guide the
preparation of a more detailed KM implementation plan for the GEF Partnership (with clear
targets, roles and budgets) including design of a GEF KM system, a forward publications plan,
including in-depth technical studies conducted jointly by GEF partners.
Broadening the GEF Partnership
38. In line with the GEF-5 policy recommendation to broaden the GEF Partnership, the GEF
Council agreed, in May 2011, to launch a pilot program to accredit “up to ten” new agencies,
10
to be called GEF Project Agencies, to assist countries in implementing GEF-financed projects.
The implementation of the GEF Accreditation Pilot consists of the following three stages:
Stage I: Value-added Review
Stage II: Accreditation Panel review for compliance with the GEF’s Fiduciary Standards
and Environmental and Social Safeguards including Gender Mainstreaming
review, and
Stage III: the signing of necessary agreements with the GEF and the Trustee.
39. Eight new agencies have joined the partnership through the Accreditation Pilot. They are called
GEF Project Agencies, and include Conservation International (CI), Development Bank of
Latin America (CAF), Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), Foreign Economic
Cooperation Office of China (FECO), Fundo Brasileiro para a Biodiversidade (FUNBIO),
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), West African Development Bank
(BOAD), and World Wildlife Fund (WWF-US). As of October 2015, seven of them have
completed the Stage III, and one is in the process of finalizing necessary agreements. With
their addition, there are 18 Agencies in the GEF partnership.
11
Annex 1: Model letter on eligibility on Minamata Initial Assessment
[To be issued on letterhead of relevant Minister]
[Original signed copies to be addressed to Mr. Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Nations
Environment Programme, P.O. Box 47074 - Nairobi 00100, Kenya, Email: [email protected] and
to Ms. Naoko Ishii, CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility at 1818 H Street, NW, Mail
Stop P4-400, Washington, DC 20433 USA, Email: [email protected]]
[Signed copies to be addressed to the GEF Secretariat at [email protected] and to the Interim
Secretariat of the Minamata Convention at [email protected]]
To the attention of:
- Mr. Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme
- Ms. Naoko Ishii, CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility
Subject: Steps taken by [name of country] towards becoming a Party to the Minamata Convention on
Mercury and request for consideration as eligible for financial support for enabling activities
At its sixth session held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 3 to 7 November 2014, the intergovernmental
negotiating committee to prepare a global legally binding instrument on mercury requested the Global
Environment Facility (GEF) to apply revised eligibility criteria in providing financial support to developing
countries and countries with economies in transition for activities under the Minamata Convention on
Mercury. In particular, it requested the eligibility for funding be extended for enabling activities to nonsignatories to the Convention, provided that any such State is taking meaningful steps towards becoming a
Party. Such request was approved by the Council of the GEF in January 2015.
[Name of country] was not in a position to sign the Minamata Convention on Mercury before it
was closed to signature on 9 October 2014. However, our Government supports the objective of the
Minamata Convention to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and
releases of mercury and mercury compounds and has taken a number of steps at the national level towards
becoming a Party and allow for the deposit of the instrument of accession to the Convention. In particular,
[name of country] has [select as appropriate]:
-
-
participated in the sub-regional workshop organized by UNEP [specify date/place] and developed
in that context a draft national roadmap on the Minamata Convention;
discussed and/or further elaborated the draft national roadmap with other ministries /
stakeholders;
engaged with UN agencies, intergovernmental and/or non-governmental organizations to discuss
possible actions at the national level in support for the accession to and early implementation of
the Minamata Convention;
undertaken a preliminary analysis of key mercury-related issues and/or stakeholders at the
national level;
12
-
organized a national interministerial / stakeholder consultation on the Minamata Convention
[specify date/place];
identified the national process for accession to international instruments;
carried out an initial legal gap analysis in order to identify the regulatory amendments that may be
needed for the implementation of the Minamata Convention’s provisions;
Etc.]
In order to adequately prepare for acceding to and effectively implementing the Minamata
Convention, our Government would benefit from the enabling activities funded under the GEF as they
would allow the identification of the domestic mercury challenges and the extent to which existing legal
and regulatory frameworks enable to implement future obligations under the Minamata Convention.
In light of the steps taken by my country towards acceding to the Minamata Convention in line
with the requirements to become eligible to financial support for enabling activities, I thank you in
advance for supporting our project application for a Minamata Convention Initial Assessment (MIA).
Signed on [specify date/place] by [Full name, function and official seal of relevant Minister]
Cc: Interim Secretariat of the Minamata Convention and GEF Secretariat
13
Annex 2: Model letter on eligibility on artisanal and small-scale gold mining National
Action Plan
INTRODUCTORY NOTES:
Status of the model letter and of notifications submitted before entry into force of the Convention
(1) The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Initial guidelines for enabling activities for the Minamata Convention11 state that
in the period between adoption of the Convention and the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties “countries eligible to
receive GEF funding for the preparation of ASGM National Action Plans (ASGM NAPs) will (…) Notify the Secretariat of
the Convention in writing that there is more than insignificant ASGM and processing in its territory”.
(2) The present document has been prepared by the interim secretariat of the Minamata Convention in cooperation with the GEF
Secretariat to assist countries prepare such notification and enable them meet the eligibility criteria for funding from the
GEF in the period pending entry into force of the Convention.
(3) While it may be used as a guiding tool, it is not intended to interpret nor to substitute the original authentic texts of the
Minamata Convention, nor is it intended to replace any formal notification under Article 3 paragraph 7 following entry into
force of the Convention for a Party. Any notification submitted by a country before it becomes a Party does not replace the
notification obligation it may have pursuant to paragraph 3 of Article 7 of the Minamata Convention.
Overview of the related provisions under Article 7 of the Minamata Convention on Mercury (see abstract from the
Convention text in Annex I) 12
(4) The measures in Article 7 and its associated Annex C apply to artisanal and small-scale gold mining and processing in
which mercury amalgamation is used to extract gold from ore (paragraph 1).
(5) Each Party that has artisanal and small-scale gold mining and processing within its territory, independently of its
importance, has the general obligations to take steps to reduce, and where feasible eliminate, the use of mercury and
mercury compounds in such mining and processing, as well as the emissions and releases to the environment of mercury
from such activities (paragraph 2).
(6) Further, a Party that at any time determines that artisanal and small-scale gold mining and processing in its territory is more
than insignificant, shall notify the Secretariat (paragraph 3). Any such Party shall also develop and implement a national
action plan in accordance with Annex C (paragraph 3(a)); submit its national action plan to the Secretariat no later than three
years after entry into force of the Convention for it or three years after the notification to the Secretariat, whichever is later
(paragraph 3(b)); and thereafter, provide a review every three years of the progress made in meeting its obligations under
this Article and include such reviews in its reports submitted pursuant to Article 21 (paragraph 3(c)).
(7) The process to determine “more than insignificant” with respect to artisanal and small-scale gold mining and processing is
not prescribed in the Convention. Each Party may use its own criteria in determining whether such activities are more than
insignificant within its territory.
(8) The notification must be done at any time the Party determines artisanal and small-scale gold mining and processing in its
territory is more than insignificant. The notification should therefore be submitted once a country becomes a Party.
11
Document GEF/C.45/Inf.05/Rev.01
The below overview is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to interpret nor to substitute the original authentic texts of
the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
12
14
ANNEX I : ABSTRACT FROM THE MINAMATA CONVENTION ON MERCURY
Article 7
Artisanal and small-scale gold mining
1.
The measures in this Article and in Annex C shall apply to artisanal and small-scale gold
mining and processing in which mercury amalgamation is used to extract gold from ore.
2.
Each Party that has artisanal and small-scale gold mining and processing subject to this
Article within its territory shall take steps to reduce, and where feasible eliminate, the use of mercury
and mercury compounds in, and the emissions and releases to the environment of mercury from,
such mining and processing.
3.
Each Party shall notify the Secretariat if at any time the Party determines that artisanal and
small-scale gold mining and processing in its territory is more than insignificant. If it so determines
the Party shall:
(a) Develop and implement a national action plan in accordance with Annex C;
(b) Submit its national action plan to the Secretariat no later than three years after entry into
force of the Convention for it or three years after the notification to the Secretariat, whichever is
later; and
(c) Thereafter, provide a review every three years of the progress made in meeting its
obligations under this Article and include such reviews in its reports submitted pursuant to Article
21.
4.
Parties may cooperate with each other and with relevant intergovernmental organizations and
other entities, as appropriate, to achieve the objectives of this Article. Such cooperation may include:
(a) Development of strategies to prevent the diversion of mercury or mercury compounds for
use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining and processing;
(b) Education, outreach and capacity-building initiatives;
(c) Promotion of research into sustainable non-mercury alternative practices;
(d) Provision of technical and financial assistance;
(e) Partnerships to assist in the implementation of their commitments under this Article; and
(f) Use of existing information exchange mechanisms to promote knowledge, best
environmental practices and alternative technologies that are environmentally, technically,
socially and economically viable.
15
ANNEX II : MODEL LETTER OF NOTIFICATION THAT ARTISANAL AND SMALL-SCALE GOLD
MINING AND PROCESSING IS MORE THAN INSIGNIFICANT
[Government letterhead]
The Coordinator
Interim secretariat of the Minamata Convention on Mercury
Chemicals and Waste Branch
Division of Technology, Industry and Economics
United Nations Environment Programme
11 - 13 chemin des Anémones
CH - 1219 Châtelaine, Geneva
SWITZERLAND
Fax: (41 22) 797 3460
E-mail: [email protected]
[Date]
Dear Sir or Madam,
Notification that artisanal and small-scale gold mining and processing is more than insignificant within [Name of
country]
[Name of country] hereby notifies the interim secretariat of the Minamata Convention on Mercury that artisanal and
small-scale gold mining and processing in which mercury amalgamation is used to extract gold from ore is more
than insignificant within its territory.
Yours faithfully,
[Name and signature
of SAICM National Focal Point]
16
Annex 3: Guidance from INC6 (November 2014) and GEF Response
Source
Guidance
GEF Response
Report of the
Request the Global
The GEF Council approved new
intergovernmental Environment Facility to apply
eligibility criteria in January 2015.
negotiating
the following eligibility criteria The GEF Secretariat also circulated
committee to
in providing financial support
this revision of criteria among the
prepare a global
to developing countries and
GEF Agencies in February 2015.
legally binding
countries with economies in
instrument on
transition for activities under
The Interim Minamata Convention
mercury on the
the Minamata Convention on
Secretariat shared the template of the
work of its sixth
Mercury:
letter to be submitted from nonsession, Annex III Eligibility criteria
signatories on their meaningful steps
(a) Parties to the Convention;
towards becoming a Party.
(b) Signatories to the
Convention in undertaking
Based on the new criteria, Botswana,
activities, particularly enabling Namibia and Papua New Guinea
activities, to facilitate early
submitted the letters. Their MIAs were
implementation and ratification approved accordingly.
of the Convention;
(c) Non-signatories to the
Convention, for enabling
activities, provided that any
such State is taking meaningful
steps towards becoming a Party
as evidenced by a letter from
the relevant minister to the
Executive Director of the
United Nations Environment
Programme and to the Chief
Executive Officer and
Chairperson of the Global
Environment Facility.
Report of the
Request the Global
The GEF-6 Chemicals and Waste
intergovernmental Environment Facility to
Strategy has two strategic objectives
negotiating
consider the following activities to meet the goals of eliminating
committee to
when providing financial
harmful chemicals and waste. As for
prepare a global
resources to developing
mercury, two programs support the
legally binding
countries and countries with
activities requested by the INC6;
instrument on
economies in transition:
Program 2 to support enabling
mercury on the
(a) Enabling activities as
activities and promote their integration
work of its sixth
outlined in the Initial
into national budgets and planning
session, Annex III Guidelines for Enabling
processes, national and sector policies
Activities for the Minamata
and actions and global monitoring,
Convention on Mercury of the
and Program 4 for reduction or
Global Environment Facility,
elimination of anthropogenic
particularly Minamata
emissions and releases of mercury to
17
Source
Guidance
Convention initial assessment
activities and national action
plans for artisanal and smallscale gold mining, to facilitate
ratification;
(b) Activities to implement the
provisions of the Convention,
affording priority to those that:
(i) Relate to legally-binding
obligations;
(ii) Facilitate early
implementation on entry into
force;
(iii) Allow for reduction in
mercury emissions and releases
and address the health and
environmental impacts of
mercury.
18
GEF Response
the environment. The GEF has
programmed $141 million for mercury
projects under these two programs of
GEF-6.
During the reporting period, 23
projects with the GEF grant amount of
$25.6 million have been supported
including enabling activities and
medium- and full-sized projects. The
supported projects are consistent with
the guidance from the INC6, and
GEF-6 Chemicals and Waste Strategy
and guidelines for enabling activities
for the Minamata Convention. The
projects have provided assistance to
countries to develop initial
assessments of their mercury issues,
mercury reduction or elimination, and
sustainable alternatives.
Annex 4: Guidance from the Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Minamata Convention
on Mercury (October 2013) and GEF Response
Source
Guidance
GEF Response
Minamata
“The Global Environment
The GEF during the negotiations of
Convention
Facility Trust Fund shall
the 6th replenishment allocated $141
Article 13
provide new, predictable,
million of new funding to support the
adequate and timely financial
Minamata Convention during the 6th
resources to meet costs in
replenishment period (GEF-6), from
support of implementation of
July 2014 to June 2015. From this
this Convention as agreed by
allocation, the GEF has been
the Conference of the Parties.
providing resources to meet the agreed
For the purposes of this
incremental costs of global
Convention, the Global
environmental benefits and the agreed
Environment Facility Trust
full costs of some enabling activities.
Fund shall be operated under
the guidance of and be
The GEF-6 Chemicals and Waste
accountable to the Conference
Strategy includes specific programs
of the Parties. The Conference
for mercury.
of the Parties shall provide
guidance on overall strategies,
policies, programme priorities
and eligibility for access to and
utilization of financial
resources. In addition, the
Conference of the Parties shall
provide guidance on an
indicative list of categories of
activities that could receive
support from the Global
Environment Facility Trust
Fund. The Global Environment
Facility Trust Fund shall
provide resources to meet the
agreed incremental costs of
global environmental benefits
and the agreed full costs of
some enabling activities.”
19
Source
Final Act of the
Conference of
Plenipotentiaries
on the Minamata
Convention on
Mercury
Guidance
“Invites the Council of the
Global Environment Facility to
support developing countries
and countries with economies in
transition that are signatories to
the Convention in undertaking
activities, particularly enabling
activities, to facilitate early
implementation and ratification
of the Convention;”
GEF Response
The 44th GEF Council in June 2013
allocated $10 million for enabling
activities under the Minamata
Convention in the GEF-5 period,
specifically MIAs and ASGM NAPs.
Guidelines have been developed for
application of these projects. In GEF6, $30 million in additional resources
has been allocated for these enabling
activities.
The initial guidelines may be amended
by the INC or COP as required.
The guidelines can be found at:
http://www.thegef.org/gef/node/9983
Final Act of the
Conference of
Plenipotentiaries
on the Minamata
Convention on
Mercury
“Invites the Council of the
Global Environment Facility to
give effect to the inclusion of
the Global Environment Facility
Trust Fund as a part of the
financial mechanism of the
Minamata Convention and to
recommend to the Assembly of
the Global Environment
Facility, as a matter of urgency,
that it make any adjustments to
the Instrument for the
Establishment of the
Restructured Global
Environment Facility that are
necessary to allow it to fulfil its
role in the financial
mechanism;”
20
At the 5th GEF Assembly in May
2014, the GEF Instrument was
amended to include the Minamata
Convention in the list of conventions
served by the GEF. The new
paragraph 6e of the GEF instrument
contains the following text:
“(e) Operate as one of the entities
comprising the financial mechanism
of the Minamata Convention on
Mercury, pursuant to its Article 13,
paragraphs 5, 6 and 8. In such
respects, the GEF shall operate under
the guidance of, and be accountable to
the Conference of the Parties, which
shall provide guidance on overall
strategies, policies, program priorities
and eligibility for access to and
utilization of financial resources. In
addition, the GEF shall receive
guidance from the Conference of the
Parties on an indicative list of
categories of activities that could
receive support; and shall provide
resources to meet the agreed
incremental costs of global
environmental benefits and the agreed
Source
Final Act of the
Conference of
Plenipotentiaries
on the Minamata
Convention on
Mercury
Final Act of the
Conference of
Plenipotentiaries
on the Minamata
Convention on
Mercury
Final Act of the
Conference of
Plenipotentiaries
on the Minamata
Convention on
Mercury
Final Act of the
Conference of
Plenipotentiaries
on the Minamata
Guidance
GEF Response
full costs of some enabling activities,
pursuant to Article 13, paragraph 7, of
the Minamata Convention on
Mercury.”
“Decides that the Committee
GEF Secretariat shared the
should develop, for
memorandum of understanding
consideration by the Conference (MOU) with the Stockholm
of the Parties at its first
Convention on Persistent Organic
meeting, a draft memorandum
Pollutants with the Interim Minamata
of understanding to be agreed
Secretariat for background to assist in
between the Council of the
developing the MOU between the
Global Environment Facility
GEF Council and the Minamata COP.
and the Conference of the
Examples of MOU between the GEF
Parties on arrangements to give Council and various COPs have been
effect to the relevant provisions provided by the Interim Minamata
of paragraphs 5 to 8 of Article
Convention Secretariat in the meeting
13;”
documents for INC6.
“Decides also that the
Noted. The GEF will incorporate and
Committee should develop, and respond to guidance received by the
adopt provisionally pending
INC and will report at a subsequent
formal adoption by the
meeting of the Convention.
Conference of the Parties at its
first meeting, guidance to the
Council of the Global
Environment Facility on overall
strategies, policies, programme
priorities, eligibility for access
to and utilization of financial
resources and an indicative list
of categories of activities
eligible for support from the
Global Environment Facility
Trust Fund;”
“Encourages the Council of the Noted. The GEF will incorporate and
Global Environment Facility to respond to guidance received by the
apply provisionally any
INC and will report at a subsequent
guidance provided to it by the
meeting of the Convention.
Committee pending the
adoption of the guidance by the
Conference of the Parties;”
“Invites donors to the Global
The 6th replenishment of the GEF
Environment Facility Trust
Trust Fund includes an allocation of
Fund to contribute through the
$141 million to support activities to
sixth and subsequent
advance early entry into force and
replenishments of the Global
effective implementation of the
21
Source
Convention on
Mercury
Guidance
Environment Facility Trust
Fund additional financial
resources adequate to enable the
Global Environment Facility to
support activities to facilitate
the rapid entry into force and
effective implementation of the
Convention;”
22
GEF Response
Minamata Convention. $30 million
has been allocated for enabling
activities and $111 million has been
allocated to support early action.
Annex 5: Table of GEF-6 (July 2014–October 2015) Funded Projects
Enabling Activity Projects
Agency
Country
UNDP
Albania
UNEP
Cameroon
UNIDO
Chad
UNIDO
Colombia
UNIDO
Gabon
UNDP
Guyana
UNDP
India
UNDP
Jordan
UNEP
Macedonia
UNDP
Malaysia
Title
Minamata Initial
Assessment for
Albania
Development of
Minamata Initial
Assessment in
Cameroon
Minamata Convention
Initial Assessment in
Chad
Minamata Convention
Initial Assessment
(MIA) in the Republic
of Colombia
National Action Plan
on Mercury in the
Artisanal and SmallScale Gold Mining
sector in Gabon
Minamata Initial
Assessment for Guyana
Improve Mercury
Management in India
Strengthen National
Decision Making
towards Ratification of
the Minamata
Convention and Build
Capacity towards
Implementation of
Future Provisions
Development of a
Minamata Initial
Assessment
Minamata Convention
Initial Assessment in
Malaysia
23
Project
Type
EA
GEF Grant ($)
200,000
EA
200,000
EA
200,000
EA
200,000
EA
500,000
EA
200,000
EA
1,000,000
EA
200,000
EA
200,000
EA
250,000
Agency
UNIDO
UNIDO
UNDP
UNEP
UNDP
UNIDO
UNIDO
UNEP
UNDP
UNEP
Country
Title
Mozambique
National Action Plan
on Mercury in the
Mozambican Artisanal
and Small-Scale Gold
Mining sector
Nepal
Minamata Initial
Assessment in Nepal
Panama
Minamata Initial
Assessment for
Panama
Papua New Guinea Development of
Minamata Initial
Assessment in Papua
New Guinea
Seychelles
Strengthen National
Decision Making
Towards Ratification
of the Minamata
Convention and Build
Capacity Towards
Implementation of
Future Provisions.
Regional (Burkina Minamata Convention
Faso, Benin, Niger, Initial Assessment in
Togo
Francophone Africa II
Regional (Guinea, Minamata Convention
Mali, Senegal)
Initial Assessment in
Francophone Africa I
Regional (Angola, Development of
Malawi,
Minamata Convention
Zimbabwe)
on Mercury Initial
Assessment in Africa
Regional
Strengthen national
(Bangladesh,
decision making
Guinea-Bissau,
towards ratification of
Mauritania,
the Minamata
Mozambique,
Convention and build
Samoa)
capacity towards
implementation of
future provisions
Regional
Development of
(Botswana,
Minamata Initial
Lesotho, Namibia, Assessment
Swaziland)
24
Project
Type
EA
GEF Grant ($)
500,000
EA
200,000
EA
200,000
EA
300,000
EA
199,100
EA
800,000
EA
600,000
EA
547,945
EA
1,000,000
EA
800,000
Medium-Sized Projects
Agency
UNIDO
Country
Tunisia
Title
Improve Mercury
Management in
Tunisia
Project
Type
MSP
GEF Grant ($)
600,000
Full-Sized Projects
Agency
UNIDO
Country
Title
China
Demonstration of
Mercury Reduction
and Minimization in
the Production of
Vinyl Chloride
Monomer
UNDP
Colombia
Reducing UPOPs
and Mercury
Releases from
Healthcare Waste
Management, eWaste Treatment,
Scrap Processing and
Biomass Burning
a: The amount of Grant for mercury component is $250,000.
25
Project
Type
GEF Grant ($)
FP
16,500,000
FP
5,750,000a
Annex 6: GEF-6 (July 2014–October 2015) Funded Medium-Sized and Full-Sized Projects
and Descriptions
Mercury Emissions and Releases Project
Country
China
GEF ID
6921
Title
Demonstration of Mercury Reduction and Minimization in the
Production of Vinyl Chloride Monomer
Implementing/
GEF Agency
UNIDO
Executing Partners Executing Agency
Foreign Economic Cooperation Office,
Ministry of Environmental Protection, China
GEF Funding
$16,500,000
Co-financing
$99,000,000
The objective of the proposal is to reduce risks of mercury on human
Project Summary
health and the environmental impact from industrial production of VCM
to achieve 50% reduction of mercury use in per unit production by the
year 2020 (reference year 2010) through optimizing the existing
production and achieving 90% recovery of mercury in production
processes. Promote mercury-free catalyst research and development and
trial application as the initial step of commercialization.
The project will promote technology transfer and investment for the
widespread application of BAT/BEP. This will emphasize the technology
accessibility and removing the market barriers from applying BAT/BEP
across the industry sector. Currently smaller PVC producers are reluctant
to make the conversion to low mercury processes due to perceived high
costs and technical uncertainties. The project will further introduce
public-private partnership model to foster a wide range of domestic and
international exchanges and cooperation partners participation (including
the VCM producers, catalyst producers, academic institutions and public
sectors such as the Ministry of Environment Protection and the Ministry
of Industry and Information Technology), promoting the technology
transfer and exchange.
Other Projects
Country
Title
Implementing/
Executing Partners
GEF Funding
Colombia
GEF ID
6928
Reducing UPOPs and Mercury Releases from Healthcare Waste
Management, e-Waste Treatment, Scrap Processing and Biomass
Burning
GEF Agency
UNDP
Ministries and Regional Environmental
Executing Agency
Authorities
$5,750,000
Co-financing $22,050,000
26
GEF Funding
Project Summary
Country
Title
Implementing/
Executing Partners
GEF Funding
Project Summary
Mercury
$250,000
Mercury
$1,000,000
Component
Component
This aims to introduce BAP/BAT to reduce the release of unintentionally
generated POPs and mercury from the treatment of healthcare waste, the
processing of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, secondary
metal processing and biomass burning. The project takes a holistic
approach to achieve environmentally sound management of UPOPs and
mercury generating waste in the country. This holistic approach makes
the project innovative.
In addition to demonstrating environmentally sound management of
UPOPs and mercury the project will strengthen the institutional,
administrative, legal, technical, and regulatory framework for managing
these harmful chemicals. This capacity building will contribute to the
sustainability of the project. Additionally, the inventory of dioxins and
furans from this project will be incorporated in to the country’s National
Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention.
This project will contribute to the convention obligations of the country in
two chemicals conventions, the Stockholm Convention and the Minamata
Convention on Mercury.
Tunisia
GEF ID
8000
Improve Mercury Management in Tunisia
GEF Agency
UNIDO
- Directorate General for the Environment and
Executing Agency
Quality of Life
- National Sanitary and Environmental
Product Control Agency
- International Centre for Environmental
Technologies of Tunis
$600,000
Co-financing
$2,350,000
This project aims to contribute to the reduction of negative mercury
impacts on human health and the environment in Tunisia. As a result of
using mercury-cell technology for 36 years (1962-1998) to produce
chlorine, the National Society of Cellulose and Paper Alfa (SNCPA) is
currently a hotspot for mercury contamination. This project has two
components; (i) developing a national inventory of mercury sources,
conducting a gap analysis of the regulatory and institutional framework,
enhancing the laboratory capacity to analyse mercury and raising the
awareness on risks associated with mercury, and (ii) conducting a
complementary assessment of previous investigations at the SNCPA site
and in the downstream alluvial plain, including additional soil and water
27
Project Summary
samples as deemed necessary and a sanitary risk evaluation based on
biological samples.
28
29